Journal box for railway cars



Aug. 23, 1932. R. R. HAWK JOURNAL BDX FOR RAILWAY CARS Fil ed Dec. 10. 1928 Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES RUBY It. HAWK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS JOURNAL BOX FOR RAILWAY CARS Application filed December 10, 1928. Serial No. 324,825.

The object of the invention is to provide for the ventilation of the journal box to prevent the heating of the bearings in ordinary service, and to minimize the danger of overheating under abnormal conditions.

IVhile the invention may be applied in various forms, a preferred embodiment of it is hereinafter described and is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of journal box in common use with the inven tion applied thereto; and

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

The invention is applicable to any of the forms of journal boxes now inv use and is shown in the drawing as applied to one of the standard forms of construction.

The body of the box is shown at 10, its

front or openable end being indicated at 11.

Ports 12 and 13 are formed in the walls of the box for the entrance and egress of air. As shown, these ports are located in the side walls and approximately in line with, but above, the position of the inner end of the journal 14.

In the preferred construction, trunks or boxes 15, 16 are formed on the. outer walls of the box 10, their upper closed ends covering the ports 12, 18. These trunks extend downwardly to and slightly below the bottom of the box, their lower ends being open as shown at 17, 18 and being directed toward the vertical median line of the'journal box.

When the car is in motion, air will circulate through the journal box, entering at one I of the ports as 12 and being discharged through the other port as 13, the direction of movement of the air being determined by '40 the direction of movement of the car. When the ports are not enclosed by trunks, the air will enter at the port which faces in the direction of travel. When the trunks are present, the air will circulate in the opposite direction. Assuming that the direction of travel is to the right, with reference to Fig. 2, air currents, due to thetrain movement, will enter the opening 18, and by reason of the well known law that a moving fluid current produces a lateral minimum pressure,

there would be suction applied to the opening 17. Thorough practical tests in service have indicated the eificiency of the device in the form illustrated. The theory as to the movement of the air currents through the journal 66 box is conjectural, and while it is believed to be correct, it is not set out definitely as to the law of action.

It is the practice to partially fill journal boxes with oil, a quantity of fibrous material, such as cotton waste being inserted below the journal as indicated at 19 for the purpose of preventing the splashing of the oil, which reaches the journal by capillary action. Sufficient heat is often developed by friction to cause a hardening of the oil'film at the sur- 8 face of the fibrous material which is in contact with the ournal, thereby preventing the free flow of oil to the journal, depriving the bearing of proper lubrication; thus increasing the friction and causing objectionable heating. It is found that by providing for a circulation of air through the box, this burning or hardening of the oil is prevented and proper lubrication of the journal is maintained, until the supply of oil is exhausted.

I claim as my invention:

1. A journal box for railway cars provided with ventilating ports in its side walls and trunks inclosing such ports and extending in downwardly beyond the bottom ofthe box and having oppositely directed openings adjacent their lower ends and being closed at their upper ends.

2. A journal box for railway cars provided with ventilating ports in its side walls and trunks inclosing such ports and extending downwardly below the box, their lower ends being open and facing toward each other and their upper ends being closed.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RUBY R. HAWK. 

